Explosive brought to Fort Leavenworth for proper disposal is disarmed

Fort Leavenworth's front gate reopened Monday after a piece of unexploded ordnance was discovered in a vehicle around 2:50 p.m. Monday.

The occupants of the vehicle voluntarily notified officials that they had the item in the vehicle and they were bringing it to the post for proper disposal. Law enforcement officials followed proper procedures and safety measures to disarm and dispose of the object, which was a mortar fuse, officials say. The object was removed from the vehicle and transported to a safe location for disposal.

"I would like to thank the Leavenworth Police Department for their unwavering cooperation and support," said Col. Wayne Green, garrison commander of Fort Leavenworth. "We work closely with Leavenworth city and county emergency responders, and we do everything we can to ensure the safety of the community."

There was no malicious intent on the part of the people who drove the munitions to Fort Leavenworth. Military officials urge patrons not to handle unexploded items themselves. The best thing to do, they say, is call 911.